City officials get sneak peek at urban furniture pieces

By Andrew Beam

Sunday, April 28, 2013

TROY -- City officials were recently given a sneak peek of the urban furniture pieces architecture students have been working on in a studio at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute since earlier this year, only fueling the excitement for the final review on May 14.

Councilwoman Nina Nichols and Planning and Economic Development Coordinator Monica Kurzejeski were given presentations by the architecture students of their full-scale mockups of the various pieces of furniture they are creating for their final project. The pieces ranged from seating which could alternatively be used for table space, an intricate piece of furniture which also serves as a slide and others meant for sitting and climbing.

"It's a very sophisticated and subtle argument," said Lonn Combs, co-founder of the internationally recognized Easton and Combs architecture firm, who has been overseeing the project. "On one side, they are making furniture. On the other side, they are making city play-elements."

Combs said students have been discussing possible materials that could be used in actually constructing the pieces such as metal, concrete, wood or even recycled plastic. Combs noted there could be some alterations to the scale models based on what materials would be available.

The project was originally funded by the city's Capital Development Corporation with $14,000 for the initial phase. Combs said the school will have to be in contact with industrial designers with the hope of bringing the projects to life. Kurzejeski said 11 to 12 members of the city's Industrial Development Authority will be getting a preliminary view of the project before May 14. There is still some question where funding for the next phase will come from.

"I think we were all trying to figure out phase two," said Nichols, D-At Large. "We're getting over into the next phase which will require more money."

The partnership between the city and RPI was heavily emphasized during the city officials' visit on Monday as they both recognized the power and impact the relationship can have on the community.

Following several community and city meetings last July about the possibility of having a playground in downtown Troy, more specifically in Riverfront Park, city officials realized there would not be enough space for an actual playground.

What the students at RPI have come up with was smaller scale play-elements which could be conducive to the layout of Riverfront Park. Combs said the students were aware of the effect their project could have on the cityscape as well as the community.

"It brings them a source of pride," Combs said.

Many of the students spoke with excitement as they presented their pieces. Many were excited over the prospect of their design actually being brought to fruition as opposed to just being graded.

"The city is enabling the school and we're glad to be able to give back," said Parker Bunce, a fourth year student at RPI.

For Evan Douglis, dean of RPI's school of architecture, he felt it was the duty of the school to bring its knowledge and skills to lend a helping hand to the city in its move to provide amenities for city residents and attract people to the city.

"We feel it is an ethical importance to use our expertise to help the city," Douglis said.

Kurzejeski echoed those same comments, as she said it is a collaboration that should continue.

"The realm of design capabilities is great," Kurzejeski said. "The talent pool coming out of there is incredible."